A quasi-alliance with the Philippines will be important for Japan's security and economy, and will complement the two countries' shared concerns about China.
Like Japan, the Philippines is part of the "first island chain" and strategic terrain for defending the region's small democratic bloc from an aggressive China.
Japan and India, supported by the sea power of their allies, can offer a much-needed antidote to China's expansionist designs for the Indian Ocean and beyond.
PM Kishida hopes to advance cooperation with ASEAN nations Malaysia and the Philippines to counter China's aggressive push for control of the South China Sea.
Control of Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka would provide military advantages, including vital logistics support for China's naval deployments in the Indian Ocean.
Despite outwardly promoting atheism, there are reasons to think Xi Jinping is superstitious and that his belief in ancient prophecies may be behind the purges.
Massive unemployment, a troubled real estate sector, and an aging population foretell problems for the Chinese economy, but how will it affect Japan and India?
From the discredited nine-dash line, China's new map includes a new 10-dash line claiming nearly all of the South China Sea, trampling on international law.